Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey, and the Jersey City Police Department to announce a new law prohibiting gas stations from selling fuel to illegally operated dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The proposal to deter illegally operated ATVs was introduced at the Municipal Council meeting this past Wednesday.
Since June 2022, Jersey City Police Officers have responded to a staggering 100 calls for service involving dirt bikes/ATVs, 10 of which involved motor vehicle accidents. The concerning rise in illegal ATVs driving recklessly on roadways throughout the state poses a new level of danger to public safety, especially pedestrians, drivers, and riders.
“We have been working closely with our Police Department as this issue has become increasingly alarming, and our residents are being put in harm’s way due to reckless ATV drivers,” said Mayor Fulop. “This is a necessary deterrent as part of our broader, multi-layered efforts that have substantially improved safety on our roadways citywide.”
The proposed law states no gas station owner or employee operating in Jersey City is permitted to dispense gasoline directly into an all-terrain vehicle or dirt bike unless the vehicle was transported to the gas station on a properly registered vehicle, trailer, or truck.
“We are taking a stand against the illegal ATVs and dirt bikes that are increasingly putting our community at risk. In addition to deterring gas stations, we are also making it illegal for storage facilities to allow for the delivery and/or removal of ATVs that are not properly transported,” added Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey.
“The drivers of these illegal ATVs are often weaving through traffic without helmets at speeds that pose a serious danger to themselves, surrounding vehicles on the roadways, and the public at large. The goal is to add another deterrent to stop them from putting people at serious risk,” added Councilwoman Ridley.
The provision will enhance Councilwoman Ridley’s original ordinance – designating ATVs as contraband and banning motorized vehicles from Jersey City streets – passed by City Council unanimously last September.
“Historically, this was not a major issue we were constantly dealing with, but in recent years we have seen a steep increase in ATV-involved motor vehicle accidents and other safety issues surrounding these illegal motorized bikes,” said JCPD Deputy Chief Nick Flora. “While our officers have worked to address this issue, it has become a larger issue across the state that needs to be looked at from all angles.”
Per the ordinance, owners/employees of gas stations and storage facilities in violation are subject to a maximum fine of $2,000.
Should Lakewood and surrounding towns introduce a similar ordinance?
No. Let the people ride!
Gossage out!
No!
absolutely
LTPD needs to enforce the traffic laws that we already have
Yes! They ride them up and down residential blocks, without regard to safety! Not sure this is the correct way yo deal with it, but it needs to be dealt with.
Absolutely, they ride them on the street and they are loud and they scare children. If they would only ride them on the tracks and off roads where they belong, it would be fine, but that’s not the case.
No it’s more important that we enforce the laws we already have rather than to pass new ones
Live and let live. Omg!
Viva rider’s. Just give them a decent piece of real estate to ride on. That should ameliorate the problem. Don’t peanalize rider’s that don’t ride recklessly.
Wrong to penalize gas stations/ storage facilities.
I don’t have the right answer, but I firmly believe it’s not this.